Manhattan, NY — Teriyaki R Us, an Asian fusion restaurant located at 150 West 49th Street in Midtown Manhattan, received a Grade C designation following a health inspection conducted March 19, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 39, exceeding the threshold for New York City's lowest grade tier. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) released the inspection data on March 23, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented two critical violations during the March visit, with no non-critical violations recorded.

The most serious finding involved evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas, cited under Code 04L. The presence of rodents in a food service environment poses direct risks to food safety, as rodents can contaminate surfaces, packaging, and food product with pathogens including Salmonella and Leptospira.

The second critical violation, cited under Code 06E, involved sanitized equipment or utensils — including in-use food dispensing utensils — being improperly used or stored. Improper handling of sanitized utensils can reintroduce contamination to food contact surfaces after the sanitization process, undermining standard hygiene protocols.

Food Safety Context

Both violations cited during this inspection carry direct implications under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food preparation and service standards for establishments operating in the five boroughs. The FDA Food Code, upon which many local regulations are based, classifies rodent activity and improper utensil storage as priority items requiring immediate corrective action.

Rodent control is addressed specifically under Article 81's provisions for pest management. Establishments are required to maintain facilities in a condition that prevents pest entry and harboring, including sealing gaps in walls and floors and maintaining proper food storage practices that eliminate attractants.

Improper utensil storage, while sometimes considered a procedural concern, can allow cross-contamination pathways to develop between cleaning cycles. In high-volume food service environments, consistent utensil handling protocols are a foundational element of food safety management.

Inspection History

The March 2026 inspection is not the first time Teriyaki R Us has received an elevated score. The restaurant's recent record includes:

  • May 22, 2025: Score not publicly recorded
  • April 29, 2025: Score not publicly recorded
  • November 21, 2024: Score 24 (Grade B)
  • November 12, 2024: Score 54 (Grade C)
  • February 8, 2024: Score 22 (Grade B)
  • August 31, 2022: Score 11 (Grade A)
  • August 2, 2022: Score 0 (Grade A)

The November 2024 inspection produced the restaurant's previous Grade C, with a score of 54. That was followed by a re-inspection later the same month resulting in a score of 24, placing the establishment in Grade B range. The current March 2026 inspection represents a return to Grade C territory after the intervening periods.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter-grade system, administered by DOHMH, reflects the point score assigned at a restaurant's most recent inspection. Grades are required to be posted visibly at the entrance of each establishment. The grading scale is as follows:

  • A: Score of 0–13 points (fewest violations)
  • B: Score of 14–27 points
  • C: Score of 28 or more points (most violations)

Each violation is assigned a point value based on its potential to contribute to foodborne illness. Critical violations — those with a direct connection to food safety risk — carry higher point values than general violations. Establishments that receive a score placing them in the B or C range at an initial inspection are typically subject to a re-inspection within a defined window.

Inspection records for all New York City restaurants are publicly available through the DOHMH online database at the NYC Open Data portal. Consumers can search by restaurant name, address, or borough to review current grades and full violation histories.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Teriyaki R Us including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.